Residents on the border of Barcelona’s Horta-Guinardó and Nou Barris districts are alarmed by the systemic neglect of public green spaces, especially around Plaça Karl Marx. Neighbourhood associations denounce deteriorating conditions, citing unchecked illegal vegetable gardens. These, they claim, render public land unusable and unsafe.
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Its condition has declined over several years, locals say. This long-simmering frustration follows an express operation by Barcelona City Council to clear an illegal settlement from a park portion. However, residents insist this action only scratches the surface of a deeper abandonment problem.
“Everything is very run down. Between the encampment and lack of care, people visit less and less. They don’t walk their dogs; it’s a disaster,” one resident explained to Metrópoli Abierta. This reflects growing unease in the area, which also faces other safety concerns. Police recently seized weapons from youths at the nearby Horta metro station, for instance.
The Encroachment of Illegal Allotments
Residents primarily complain about the gradual takeover of public land by illegal allotments. What began as small-scale gardening has expanded significantly, occupying parkland with makeshift structures and fencing.
“Years ago, people started coming to set up these gardens and now they own the territory,” a neighbour claimed. “Four old men come to plant lettuces, and we can’t even pass through.”
Locals report these unauthorised gardens create unsanitary conditions, with barrels of stagnant water, piles of organic compost, and fences made from scrap wood and metal. These elements, they argue, “further aggravate the insalubrity of the space.”
The issue extends beyond hygiene and aesthetics. For residents of the adjoining Carrer dels Pirineus, the encroachment presents a serious safety risk, obstructing access. “If something happens here, we can’t do anything,” a resident added. “Cars can’t fit, nor can fire engines or ambulances, and it’s not easy for us to get out.”
A History of Perceived Neglect
While illegal gardens are a recent flashpoint, locals insist the neglect is chronic. “The wasteland by the plaza has been abandoned by politicians for many, many years. This is not a new thing, it’s been like this forever,” they stated.
Concerns also include decaying infrastructure; wooden posts supporting an electrical box, for instance, could collapse, residents fear, especially after recent high winds. Locals also feel the area’s historic aqueduct, part of the Acueducto del Baix Vallès, has been completely abandoned and left unrestored.
In a formal letter to the municipal council, residents demanded “the immediate removal of the illegal gardens, as well as all constructions and elements that improperly occupy the public space.” They call for comprehensive regeneration, including new paving, properly maintained landscaped areas, and infrastructure to create a genuine community space. “We want to enjoy this green axis we have,” they said. “We want them to make it a place to walk or a park, to give it a civic purpose, which is what it deserves.”
Calls for Action Amidst City-Wide Plans
The situation at Plaça Karl Marx presents a stark contrast to the city’s broader environmental ambitions. The Barcelona City Council heavily promotes its Pla Natura 2021-2030, a comprehensive strategy to enhance green infrastructure. Furthermore, Mayor Jaume Collboni’s administration recently launched the “Pla Endreça” (Tidiness Plan) to improve public space maintenance. This comes alongside major new investments elsewhere, such as Collboni’s unveiled €260m plan for Sagrera’s green hub.
However, for Horta and Nou Barris residents, these city-wide plans have not yet brought tangible neighbourhood improvements. The Horta-Guinardó Neighbourhood Association told Metrópoli Abierta they feel “tired and discouraged by the administration’s slowness” in resolving the issue.
The association requested a new face-to-face meeting with their district councillor “to insist on the urgency of applying effective solutions,” but claims to have received no response. As they wait for action, the disconnect between municipal policy and local reality continues to grow.
